Audacious bid rejected

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has had an audacious bid for Manchester United's Darren Fletcher turned down.

The Scottish international midfielder has played under McLeish during his time as Scotland manager but Manchester United have rejected a loan bid from Birmingham to deny the pair linking up again.

McLeish is eager to bolster his midfield after losing Fabrice Muamba and Oliver Kapo to Bolton and Wigan respectively following their relegation from the Premier League.

Fletcher was seen as an ideal replacement by McLeish but a bid to take the player on loan has failed leaving McLeish having to look elsewhere.

Sir Alex Ferguson is a big admirer of the central midfielder and it seems the youngster is in his immediate plans as United are unwilling to let him leave on loan.